Midlands universities spearhead £180m energy innovation programme
A £180m funding stream designed to drive cutting-edge research, innovation and skills across the Midlands Engine has been officially launched.
The scheme is backed by the Chancellor, who set out a commitment in his latest Spending Review to deliver significant government investment in the Midlands across transport, energy and culture.
This included £60m to help establish a new Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) aimed at supporting the region’s high-tech, high-skilled economy.
The £60m set aside for the ERA – the first project to be delivered by the Midlands Innovation initiative, a collaboration of six the region’s leading universities – is intended to unlock £120m of private sector co-investment.
The companies which have pledged to co-finance the ERA with a combined investment of £100m, are: Arcola, Blueprint, CPL, GE Aviation, Hydrexia, Intelligent Energy, ITM Power, Johnson Matthey, Lafarge, Royal Engineers, Schlumberger, Siemens, Torftech, TWI, JLR, Cofely, Dearman Engine Co, Highview.
The six universities will provide the final £20m and together with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), have collectively committed £2.4m to recruit 33 doctoral students to help deliver the programme, which will work on areas such as: smarter energy systems, reducing the UK’s dependence on importing energy, enhancing energy security and resilience, and helping to achieve the UK’s carbon reduction targets.
The universities taking part are: Aston University, the University of Birmingham, Leicester University, Loughborough University, The University of Nottingham and the University of Warwick. They will work alongside the British Geological Survey, local industry and others to create a global centre of excellence for energy research and innovation.
The centre will tackle some of the biggest energy challenges facing the UK and investigate how to make the best use of the resources available by being more efficient and innovative while producing affordable, safe energy.
The Midlands Innovation initiative is part of ambitious plans to apply the same vision to the nation’s future transport, health, and biomedical science needs.
Speaking at the launch of Midlands Innovation, Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, Lord O’Neill said: “Backing innovation and skills is key to helping make the Midlands an Engine for Growth and this funding will help to drive forward the combined expertise for the leading universities in the region.”
Joining him at the launch were the chair of Midlands Innovation, Professor Sir David Greenaway, and Dr Tony Harper, Head of Research for Jaguar Land Rover.
Prof Stuart Croft, Vice-chancellor of the University of Warwick said: “I am proud of what we at Warwick have contributed to our city and our region, but we can achieve even more by working in a range of partnerships that bring together universities, industry and policy maker in initiatives such as Midlands Innovation and the Midlands Engine.
“The fact that this partnership working has led to this £180m Energy Research Accelerator show that this is approach is already bringing new resources and opportunities to our region.”
Prof Greenaway said: “Midlands Innovation brings together the leading research engines in the region. The partnership is built on a strong history of our universities working together and with the Energy Research Accelerator we have created a cross-disciplinary research hub which connects academia and industry to create jobs, drive growth, develop skills and produce innovative new products with sustainable, practical uses.
“Through exciting applications of combined research expertise such as ERA, Midlands Innovation will help leverage the capabilities of the Midlands with national and international firms and investors and provide a platform for productivity for the region and wider UK.”
